Post by Monica-Webmaster on Jun 14, 2008 13:48:28 GMT
Cech Shuts Out Penalty Fears
Goal.com
Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech has been practising penalties ahead of tomorrow’s crucial Group A clash with Turkey, which could end in a shootout…
The Chelsea shot-stopper only managed to save one spot-kick as his side fell to Manchester United in the Champions League final last month. He failed to stop any the year before, when Liverpool triumphed on penalties following their semi-final stalemate.
The Czechs and the Turks are level on points and goal difference heading into their final fixture of the group stages, meaning the quarterfinalists could be decided from the spot.
"It's better than a toss of a coin," Cech said. "We have it all in our hands. I believe that penalties won't have to take place at all and we'll beat Turkey. It would be a tricky thing to play for a draw.
"Everything is at stake. I believe we belong to the best eight teams. The team's performance is on the rise, we'll play our best in our last game in the group stage."
Record
The Czechs have a respectable record in penalty shootouts, especially at the European Championship.
They won the tournament on penalties in 1976 as Czechoslovakia after drawing 2-2 with West Germany in the final, and succeeded from the spot again four years later when they downed Italy in the playoff for third-place.
At EURO 1996 in England, the Czechs won their semi-final shootout against France before losing to Germany at Wembley.
"We'll be training for a possible penalty shoot-out, but that's not our major concern," coach Karel Brückner said. "Our goal is to play well and win."
Goal.com
Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech has been practising penalties ahead of tomorrow’s crucial Group A clash with Turkey, which could end in a shootout…
The Chelsea shot-stopper only managed to save one spot-kick as his side fell to Manchester United in the Champions League final last month. He failed to stop any the year before, when Liverpool triumphed on penalties following their semi-final stalemate.
The Czechs and the Turks are level on points and goal difference heading into their final fixture of the group stages, meaning the quarterfinalists could be decided from the spot.
"It's better than a toss of a coin," Cech said. "We have it all in our hands. I believe that penalties won't have to take place at all and we'll beat Turkey. It would be a tricky thing to play for a draw.
"Everything is at stake. I believe we belong to the best eight teams. The team's performance is on the rise, we'll play our best in our last game in the group stage."
Record
The Czechs have a respectable record in penalty shootouts, especially at the European Championship.
They won the tournament on penalties in 1976 as Czechoslovakia after drawing 2-2 with West Germany in the final, and succeeded from the spot again four years later when they downed Italy in the playoff for third-place.
At EURO 1996 in England, the Czechs won their semi-final shootout against France before losing to Germany at Wembley.
"We'll be training for a possible penalty shoot-out, but that's not our major concern," coach Karel Brückner said. "Our goal is to play well and win."
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